Finding Jesus Again

This blog is about my efforts to find Jesus again. I knew him as a child, but left him during my early adulthood. I realized the folly of this decision, and have spent my time growing closer to Jesus. I hope to inspire folks to believe in Jesus, seek him out, and find the joy that comes only from God.

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Monday, January 1, 2018

This is a reposting of the article (1) from 2016. A musical interpretation of this song was also discussed (2)

"Joy To The World" is a traditional and popular Christmas carol (4). The lyrics to the carol were first published in 1719. The music is attributed either to George Frideric Handel or Lowell Mason. In either case, the musical origins are likely from the late 18th/early 19th centuries. Continue reading "Joy To The World".

Monday, December 25, 2017

What do these versus have in common, and what do they have to do withthe Matt Maher song Love Has Come? These three versus together point tothe fact that Jesus Christ is the physical manifestation of God's love.The Word is God. Jesus is the Word of God. Jesus is God. With the birthof Jesus, the Word was made flesh. Thus Jesus is love. Matt Maher usesthese three verses as the seed to share his musical interpretation ofthe coming of Jesus Christ. Continue reading "Love Has Come".

Monday, December 11, 2017

O Come, O Come Emmanuel (1), sung here by Matt Maher, is a tradition Christian hymn typically sung during Advent. Most Christians have sung it dozens if not hundreds of times. Though many of the Advent hymns joyfully proclaim the coming of Christ, this hymn is more somber. If one investigates the lyrics (2), one can come to an understanding of the melancholic nature of the music along with its hopeful message. Continue reading "O Come O Come Emmanuel".

Monday, December 4, 2017

The days leading up to Christmas are a time of reflection and anticipation for Christians around the globe. Christians are looking forward to the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. In many ways Christians adults become child-like in their excitement. It's not the excitement of getting that new toy you asked Santa for, but an excitement for the joy and hope that Jesus brings into this fallen world. It's a mature excitement. It's a chance to reflect on the errors of the past year and to commit to start again, with a rebirth of Christian faith, hope and love. Continue reading "Come, Come Emmanuel".

Monday, November 27, 2017

Matt Redman and Jonas Myrin have cowritten the song "10,000 Reasons" (1) based on Psalm 103 (2). The psalm expounds praise for God. It recognizes God's power and the mercy He has shown us throughout the ages. The song itself, however, incorporates another dimension to our faith in God, which is the belief in the consolations that we will receive here on earth as well as the joy we will feel spending our eternity in God's holy presence. These consolations and the anticipation of the resultant joy combine so that Christians look forward to each day as an opportunity to share in God's love as well as to share His love with others. After all, the way that we love God is to love what He has made. Through our sharing of His love, we can demonstrate His kingdom here on earth. Continue reading "10,000 Reasons".

Monday, November 20, 2017

Jesus Christ is the embodiment of love. He lived his life demonstrating acts of love and mercy, as an example for us all. As a reward for his love, he was crucified. Little did his executioners know or understand that his death, necessary to redeem our sins, heralded the Kingdom of God. Blinded by their own power and ambition, they were unable to interpret the prophesies which said that the Christ would rise after three days. After three days, our redeemer Jesus did rise from the dead, and now – he is alive!

Monday, November 6, 2017

In this post the song "Not For A Moment" (1, 2 for live version) written by Meredith Andrews, Mia Fieldes, and Jacob Sooter will be discussed. The song itself is so simple and beautiful, yet is so musically rich. The primary theme of the song is the constancy of God, lyrically (3) expressed in the words "not for a moment did/will you forsake me" sung twelve times and the words "after all, you are constant" sung three times. However, the musicians add a subtle reinforcement of God's constancy with the piano, which repeats a rhythmic pattern established during the introduction to the song. This rhythmic pattern is accentuated by an electric guitar playing a similar pattern. These repetitions drive the feeling of God's constant love for us deep into our being, enveloping us in a sense of peace and serenity.